Newcastle United vs Fulham sets up an intriguing EFL Cup Quarter Final clash under the lights at St. James’ Park, where a passionate home crowd of over 52,000 is expected to create an intense knockout atmosphere. With cool winter conditions around 10°C and a pristine grass surface, the stage is perfectly set for a high-tempo cup encounter.
Newcastle enter this tie looking to bounce back after a narrow Tyne–Wear derby defeat, while Fulham arrive with confidence following a dramatic away win at Burnley. With both sides dealing with notable absentees and squad rotation due to injuries and international duty, tactical balance and game management could decide who books a place in the semi-finals.
Match Overview – Newcastle United vs Fulham
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Newcastle United vs Fulham |
| Competition | EFL Cup 2025 |
| Stage | Quarter Finals |
| Date & Kick-Off | Thursday, December 18, 2025 – 01:45 |
| Venue | St. James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Capacity | 52,758 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 10°C – Cool Conditions |
Newcastle are expected to press aggressively at home, while Fulham may look to stay compact and exploit transitions through Raul Jiménez and their attacking midfielders.
Recent Form Guide – Newcastle United vs Fulham
Newcastle United – Last 5 Matches
Newcastle have shown attacking consistency but remain slightly vulnerable defensively, especially against quick counterattacks.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/12 | Sunderland | 0–1 | Loss |
| 10/12 | Bayer Leverkusen | 2–2 | Draw |
| 06/12 | Burnley | 2–1 | Win |
| 02/12 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–2 | Draw |
| 29/11 | Everton | 4–1 | Win |
Fulham – Last 5 Matches
Fulham’s recent games have been entertaining, with goals at both ends and mixed defensive stability.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13/12 | Burnley | 3–2 | Win |
| 07/12 | Crystal Palace | 1–2 | Loss |
| 02/12 | Manchester City | 4–5 | Loss |
| 29/11 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–1 | Win |
| 22/11 | Sunderland | 1–0 | Win |
Head-to-Head – Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Competition | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/10/2025 | Premier League | Newcastle vs Fulham | 2–1 |
| 01/02/2025 | Premier League | Newcastle vs Fulham | 1–2 |
| 21/09/2024 | Premier League | Fulham vs Newcastle | 3–1 |
| 06/04/2024 | Premier League | Fulham vs Newcastle | 0–1 |
| 27/01/2024 | FA Cup | Fulham vs Newcastle | 0–2 |
Summary:
- Newcastle Wins: 3
- Fulham Wins: 2
- Draws: 0
The Magpies have edged this fixture recently, particularly in cup competitions.
Key Players to Watch
Newcastle United – Joelinton
2 Goals • 2 Matches
Joelinton has been Newcastle’s standout performer in this competition, combining physicality, pressing, and timely goals from midfield. His presence could be decisive against Fulham’s double pivot.
Fulham – Raul Jiménez
1 Goal • 3 Matches
Jiménez remains Fulham’s primary goal threat, offering intelligent movement and aerial strength, especially on counters and set pieces.
Predicted Lineups – Newcastle United vs Fulham
| Position | Newcastle United (4-3-3) | Fulham (4-2-3-1) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Aaron Ramsdale | Bernd Leno |
| RB | Tino Livramento | Kenny Tete |
| CB | Malick Thiaw | Joachim Andersen |
| CB | Dan Burn | Calvin Bassey |
| LB | Lewis Hall | Antonee Robinson |
| CM | Bruno Guimarães (C) | Sander Berge |
| CM | Sandro Tonali | Alex Iwobi |
| CM | Lewis Miley | Emile Smith Rowe |
| RW | Anthony Gordon | Harry Wilson |
| LW | Anthony Elanga | Samuel Chukwueze |
| ST | Nick Woltemade | Raúl Jiménez |
Final lineups will be confirmed one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players – Newcastle United vs Fulham
| Team | Missing Players | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle United | Dan Burn, Nick Pope, Emil Krafth, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, William Osula | Injuries |
| Fulham | Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Muniz | Injuries |
Newcastle’s defensive absences remain a concern, while Fulham are weakened by injuries and AFCON departures.
Statistical Projection – Newcastle United vs Fulham
| Metric | Newcastle | Fulham |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 56% | 44% |
| Shots on Target | 5–7 | 3–5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.6–2.0 | 1.1–1.4 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 35% | 22% |
| Corners | 6–8 | 4–6 |
| Goal Probability | 80% | 68% |
| Most Likely Scorer | Joelinton | Raul Jiménez |
Prediction Summary – Newcastle United vs Fulham
Why Newcastle Could Win
- Strong home advantage at St. James’ Park
- Better recent head-to-head record
- Midfield physicality and pressing intensity
Why Fulham Could Cause Problems
- Dangerous on the counterattack
- Recent away wins against strong opponents
- Jiménez’s experience in tight matches
This Quarter Final is expected to be competitive, but Newcastle’s home crowd and midfield control should give them a narrow edge in a tight contest.
Final Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2–1 Fulham
Likely Scorers:
- Joelinton (Newcastle United)
- Harvey Barnes (Newcastle United)
- Raul Jiménez (Fulham)
Confidence Levels:
- Newcastle Win – 46%
- Draw – 29%
- Fulham Win – 25%
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